Often we think of fruit juice as a healthy way to provide children with vitamins they need. However, even unsweetened fruit juice is packed with sugars and acids that can damage your child's teeth. Today our Langley children’s dentists explain why they advise against serving children fruit juices.
While it may be true that some fruit juices have more nutritional value than soda pop does, fruit juices can be just as damaging to your child's teeth as pop.
In fact, a glass of apple juice contains almost as much sugar as a glass of cola and is capable of causing extensive damage to your child's teeth.
How Sugar Damages Children's Teeth
When your child drinks sugars, the bacteria in your child's mouth mixes with the sugars and creates a mild acid. The acid can then attack your child's tooth enamel, causing tooth decay and cavities.
Natural Sugar is Still Sugar
All sugars, whether naturally occurring (as in fruit) or refined sugars will mix with the bacteria in your child's mouth. Many healthy foods and drinks such as milk and fruit contain natural sugars. So, although unsweetened fruit juice has no added sugar, it is filled with natural sugars which can still lead to tooth decay.
Natural Fruit Acids Can Damage Teeth
While the sugars in fruit juice are very damaging to children's teeth, sugar is not the only problem with fruit juices! Juices also contain natural acids. These fruit acids can erode your child's dental enamel, much like sugar does.
Fruit Juice Just Isn't That Healthy
The damage done to children's teeth and bodies by the sugars and acids in fruit juices far outweighs any minor nutritional benefits they may get from drinking juice. When it comes to nutrition, it’s always better to have an apple than a glass of apple juice, and water is always the best choice for thirsty kids!